Press Advisories

14. 6. 2010 10:42

Prime Minister launches gala publication of document on restitution issues for victims of the Holocaust and other victims of Nazism

This gala presentation of the document is also the first specific output from cooperation between the European Shoah Legacy Institute and government representatives from more than forty countries, who also took part in the presentation which took place at noon today in the Lichtenstein Palace in Prague.

The document entitled "Guidelines and Best Practices for the Compensation and Restitution of Immovable (Real) Property" contains recommendations on the question of restituting the real estate of the victims of the Holocaust and other victims of Nazism. It was prepared by an expert team composed of representatives of non-governmental organisation and governments who specialise inter alia in the care of Holocaust and Nazism victims.

The European Shoah Legacy Institute, based in Theresienstadt, was founded as a publicly beneficial society by the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Institute began its work at the beginning of January this year. Seats on its administrative council are held by representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Federation of Jewish Communities, the Theresienstadt Initiative and the Jewish Museum in Prague. It is financed from state funds. The Institute came into being on the basis of the Theresienstadt Declaration which was adopted at the International Conference on the Fate of Holocaust Victims' Property, held in June last year as the final event of the Czech Presidency of the European Union Council. Its principal purpose is work on education on the question of the Holocaust, social projects for survivors and unresolved property issues.